5x5x5

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a pitch event like no other

Our 5x5x5 for 2024 is currently paused. Please check back to see if the application is open at a later date.
Doyenne's 5x5x5 pitch contest highlights early-stage, women- and marginalized gender(s)-led scalable ventures from ALL business sectors

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5 women-led ventures, 5 minutes to pitch, one receives a $5,000 grant

Doyenne hosts our 5x5x5 event annually during Forward Fest in Madison, Wisconsin. The funds we award help founders take the next leap towards success, and/or position the company for initial investment opportunities.

Want to learn more before applying? Register for an upcoming Informational Session or watch the recording of a recent 5x5x5 Informational Session to learn more.

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Pitch practice & coaching

All companies who are selected to present go through peer coaching pitch practices to formulate their venture's pitch and story. The relationships created through coaching sessions have been said to be more impactful than actually winning the grant by prior 5x5x5 competitors.

5x5x5 Application Form
 

Timeline & Requirements

Timeline for Applicants

  • Applications for the August 23, 2023 event will be accepted until Friday, June 16th, 2023
  • Presenters publicly announced two weeks after application deadlines
  • Presenters must attend two informational pitch sessions - to be sent in email with selection notification
  • Register for an upcoming Q&A Session to learn more and ask your questions

Requirements for Applicants

  • Wisconsin Headquartered, For-profit registered venture (Non-profits are not eligible for this opportunity)
  • Majority of shares owned by a woman/women co-founders or marginalized gender(s) (You can have males on your founder team, but they should not be majority shareholders)
  • Venture is scalable to a regional, national, or international market (Does not need to be at this stage to submit, but must be able to show scalability plan)
  • Must have evidence showing how the $5,000 will benefit venture 
  • Venture shows innovation within its industry
  • Venture cannot have received funding from Doyenne through other funding opportunities (This includes Triple Threat Venture Training grants and past Evergreen Fund grant or equity investment recipients)
  • Applicants can re-apply for future events if they haven't won the event previously
  • Presenters must attend two pitch practice sessions - dates to be sent in email with selection notification
  • Presenters must agree to the Grant Agreement in order to receive the $5,000 grant. The agreement is sent to presenting ventures upon selection for them to review before committing to being part of program

Grantee Demographics

The grants awarded through the Doyenne 5x5x5 program are separate dollars from the Doyenne Evergreen Fund and provided from fundraising efforts throughout the community.

The following demographic information has been obtained when founders submit for the event and represents all founders from ventures who have been received a 5x5x5 grant, not just the presenter.

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Past Presenters

 

2021 Presenters:

Forward Fest 2021:

Spring 2021:


2020 Presenters:

Milwaukee:

Madison:


2019 presenters:

Madison: 

Milwaukee:



2018 PRESENTERS:


2017 PRESENTERS:

  • Classmunity
  • Lifebook
  • Pathogenomica – Grant Awardee
  • Pussyfoot Tape
  • Stimmi


2016 PRESENTERS:


2015 Presenters:

  • BluDiagnostics - Grant Awardee

  • Square Harvest

  • The River House Group


2014 PRESENTERS:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your venture is awarded the $5,000 grant through the 5x5x5 program you will be required to sign the Grant Agreement contract and provided necessary business & tax documents before receiving the award. 

All Presenters of 5x5x5:
        The 5 participants from each 5x5x5 event will be receiving a free 3 month, Twice per Month One Hour Coaching Sessions with Heather opportunity. Previously the grantee was required to partake in an upcoming Triple Threat Venture Training program and the other four participants weren’t awarded any opportunities beyond a free year of membership.

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